Transfiguration of Our Lord

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.– Mark 9:2-9

Anybody out there a little anxious?

In the text immediately prior to our Gospel, Jesus has just filled in his disciples on the cost of following him.  Six days later, Peter sees Christ transfigured and then demonstrates what happens to him when he gets stressed: he blurts out the first thing that comes to him!  Verses 6 has this wonderful little comment: “for he did not know what to say…” How absurd you are, Peter!

Henri Nouwen teaches us that the word absurd, is taken from the Latin surdus, which means deaf- but the word obedient comes from the Latin audire- which means to listen.  In the midst of Peter’s anxiety and bewilderment, the message comes: “This is my beloved son: listen to him.”  In this time of  absurdity and anxiety, perhaps we are being called to create time and space in our own lives to listen more deeply to God- or,  I suppose we can join Peter in scurrying around to build booths.

Deaconess Deb Mantey

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”
–2 Kings 5:1-3

The story of Naaman’s servant from our Old Testament lesson first came to my attention as an adult. I discovered a little book published with stories of children who were instrumental in helping adults experience God’s love. Naaman’s unnamed servant certainly fits in this category, as does the boy with the loaves and fishes at the feeding of the multitude. What other stories from scripture can you think of that describe how God uses the small, the weak, the powerless to deliver the good news to the more powerful?

There are times when all of us become frustrated and desire more control in our lives. There are also times when many of us realize how much privilege we are given, rightly or wrongly. Where you stand on the power continuum makes a difference in how you feel about stories like Naaman’s servant; maybe it becomes a wake-up call to listening to other’s suggestions or perhaps a challenge to become more bold in speaking the seemingly ridiculous!

Deaconess Deb Mantey

February 8- Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.
–Mark 1:29-31

Our American society has not put much value in serving.  Service jobs tend to be the lowest paid, those jobs which we try to move on from as soon as possible.  Indeed, my own home pastor tried to dissuade me from becoming a deaconess, and rather become a pastor.  But I already had a clear sense of call -not to word and sacrament but to diakonia, or service.  Have you noticed that the past few generations of youth are leading the way and raising the importance of service in developing connections between faith and life?

In the gospel this week, nestled in the text, is the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law. Her immediate response to being healed, is to rise up and serve them.  It is easy to imagine that this was her role; and yet, isn’t this the role of all who God has called, healed, forgiven?  We get up, thank God and go to work.  We have been blessed to be a blessing, healed to bring health to others, received God’s love to love others.  Service, anyone?

Deaconess Deb Mantey

As One with Authority

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching–with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

-Mark 1:21-28

Were you watching the Inauguration last Tuesday? What struck you as you watched it? The massive gathering on the Washington Mall? The excitement of the people? The sense that history was being made as we watched? Certainly, each of us will keep different memories of the day. The image that will stick with me is the image of the president-elect as he stood in the hallway waiting to go out to take the Oath of Office. He seemed fully present, focused and… calm. How was that possible?

In our text this week, Mark talks about Jesus as teaching “as one who has authority.” The Old Testament lesson also refers to authority- this time of the prophet. How do we regard those who are in authority, who have power and are confident? Sometimes, our response is relief…someone else is in charge; sometimes, it is fear. Can we really trust our leaders to be about our good?

The disciples marveled at Jesus and his authority, his confidence. I imagine there were times when they wondered if he really had their best interests at heart. Thankfully, we have our history, our faith stories to look back on and know confidently that this Jesus is to be trusted. Remembering that, can we be bold to listen more closely and take a new step in faith? What is God calling you to today?

Deaconess Deb Mantey

January 25, 2009-Third Sunday after Epiphany

Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.
–Psalm 62:8

I was reading the texts for the week when I was invited out of my office to hold a very sleepy three-month-old Stieg Nilsen-Goodin while Pastor Solveig completed a task. The exhaustion was obvious as no amount of rocking, singing, bouncing, etc. could silence his fierce crying. Finally, mom returned and Stieg was consoled. When I returned to my desk, there laying open before me were these words from the psalms: “pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”

What lies heavy on your heart this week? International conflicts, climate change, illness, personal grief and life transitions may all cause us concern and discouragement. We are invited to pour out full hearts to our loving parent. God will be a refuge to us, console and encourage us. Then, expect God to put us to work to make a difference for others in need of consolation.

Deaconess Deb Mantey

January 18, 2009 – Second Sunday after Epiphany — Come and See

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” — John 1:43-51This week is Prayer for Christian Unity.  There are certainly many ways we share  our common faith with other Christians.  There are also those times which arise  (daily?) when we have opportunity to share our faith with those who are yet unfamiliar with the Christian faith.  This is more true in the Northwest than other parts of our country.

Sometimes we avoid those encounters, not wanting to get into heavy discussions or debates.  As I read verse 46 of the gospel:   ” Can anything good come out of Nazareth?…Come and see”, I thought of one of my favorite quotes. Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote:  “Vital religion is like good music.  It needs no defense only rendition. A wrangling controversy in support of religion is as if the members of the orchestra should beat the folks over the head with the violins to prove that the music is beautiful.”

May we live our faith so beautifully, so gracefully this week that others “come to see” the God who loves them also.

Deaconess Deb Mantey

January 11, 2009, The Baptism of Christ – First Sunday after Epiphany

/* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:”"; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.  Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.  He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.  I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.  And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Mark 1:4-11

As you read this text, perhaps you thought about the escalation of violence in the region and reflected on the 59 Lutheran bishops who are currently in the Holy Land. (Read more on Bishop Dave’s blog at www.oregonsynod.org/middleeast/blog)

What does it mean to us that John called the people of his day to repentance and pointed them toward Jesus, the Prince of Peace?  What does it mean that John humbly focused on ushering in another way?  How do we understand this in a time of great conflict in Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan…?

Surely, we all need to repent of wanting our own way, of having our own agenda.  But our text this week is not only about the call to repentance, but about Jesus’ baptism and God’s deep love of the Son.  “Beloved”, he says.  That word makes me smile, and long for the same announcement over me.  Amazingly, it has already been given- not only to Jesus, but to you and to me.  We, too, have been adopted as God’s own beloved.   How will this knowledge change the way you live today?

Deaconess Deb Mantey

December 21, Fourth Sunday of Advent

Luke 1:26-38 NSRV
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.  And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one!  The Lord is with you.”  But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.  The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.  He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.   Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”  The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son o God.  And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren.  For nothing will be impossible with God.”  Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”  Then the angel departed from her.

 

There is a wonderful statue of Mary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral.  She is portrayed as a strong peasant woman, striding.  Not a demure or passive Mary, but one with strong hands and a strong body.  http://www.stjohncathedral.org/tour/marymother.htm

The fourth Sunday of Advent is Mary’s Sunday– we hear the Annunciation, and have the option of hearing the Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55.  I wonder what we would do if an angel arrived and gave us a flight plan?  We might hunger for that kind of certainty, but would we feel truly free to say yes or no?  At a recent Advent celebration the angel Gabriel, accent on the first syllable, suddenly became Gabrielle, accent on the last syllable and changed genders.  The readers were in elementary school. I was delighted with their switch.

In Nazareth there is the Church of the Nativity, with a beautiful large courtyard decorated with 5 foot high mosaics of Mother and Child from different nations. There is a crypt under the main altar, where tradition says Gabriel/ Gabrielle talked with Mary.  A few blocks away there is an orthodox church for the same purpose, only this one has a spring of water in one corner.  This was the town well, where the women met and talked, and obviously THIS is where Mary and the angel met!

May you meet some angels in these last days of Advent.  May we respond as Mary- Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.  She will journey with us in our discipleship and our promised transformation.

Susan Kintner
Assistant to the Bishop

December 7, 2008- Second Sunday of Advent

Mark 1:1-8 NRSV
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.   As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying our in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’

“ John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.  Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.  He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.  I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

The prayer for Sunday begins with the same two words that all the Advent Sunday Prayers begin with — STIR UP.  Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son.  One way to do that is to concentrate on Mark’s first verse– The BEGINNING of the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ…. I love how Mark tells us (with echos of Genesis) that something new is beginning now, and it will change us and our world forever.  What can we begin that will stir up our hearts to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child? John the Baptist stirred things up! How can we be little John the Baptists for one another? How can we be the witness, the prophet, the desert preacher that draws people to Jesus Christ?

The dessert Ammas and Abbas had a spiritual discipline where they “remembered their death.”  It might sound a little morbid, but actually, it is a fine way to review our priorities.

What will we take with us when we die?  What will be most precious then– that we’d told our loved ones we love them, that we have forgiven, and received forgiveness, that we know nothing will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  Give thanks for John the Baptist, and our Abbas and Ammas who push us to ponder now how to prepare to receive the Christ child.

Pastor Susan Kintner
Assistant to the Bishop

November 30, 2008- First Sunday of Advent

Mark 13:24-37  NRSV

“But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory.  Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson; as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.  So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.  Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 

“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven , nor the Son, but only the Father.  Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.  It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.  Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.  And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” 

One of amazing things on the Web, is this site, http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm, which demonstrates signs for sign language.  “Waiting,” the work of Advent, is signed with the palms facing up, one hand slightly ahead of the other, and the fingers wiggling.  We are to Wait in Advent, and to keep alert. Which all the church mothers and fathers instruct us to do all year long!  Children help remind us to be open to surprises.  They are usually pretty watchful.

All of the Prayers for the Sundays in Advent begin with the same two words, “Stir up.”  Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.  The work of Advent is waiting, and it is also turning toward God.  Please ponder with me in the coming month where we need Christ’s power in our lives, where do we least expect it, what would it mean if it were to come, and what would be the biggest surprise?

Keep Alert!!

Pastor Susan Kintner
Assistant to the Bishop